The local landmark Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Kunming said it would be relocated within this year due to the current illegal construction.
On Friday, the Catholic church situated on Beijing Road of Yunnan Province responded to the recent rumor of its removal news, adding that it would be relocated in Haidong Road. It explained that originally built in 1935, the church was entirely removed in 2009 due to dilapidation. Reconstructed on the same site, the current church complex is against the law as a result of the failure of the church government.
Known as Kunming Subway 101, the reconstruction project was operated by Kunming Diocese in 2010, which was responsible for the establishment of a five-story building that covers more than 15,000 square meters (3.7 acres). Completed in 2018, the complex includes a square, the cathedral and the underway skyscraper construction, and the two-floor underground space leased as retail space for shops.
The Kunming municipal government stated that the cathedral claimed as an "illegal construction" would be dismantled and transformed from October 1.
“In the society ruled by the law, law-abidingness is the duty our church and every church member should meet. The church is actively cooperating with the relevant departments of the government in rectification in line with the law,” the church stated.
According to the authorities, with the estimated cost to be about 29.5 million yuan, the transformation plans to begin on October 1 and end on January 1, 2022.
“The construction of the new church on Haidong Road is in progress and will be completed soon. The relocation will be around the corner. The brothers and sisters in the Lord will embrace a new church with graceful surroundings.”
